I am a "mature" solo traveler arriving a day early before meeting my tour group. Not having done this before, I am nervous and would appreciate your help:
1) Easiest & safest way to arrange for taxi to Tawana Bangkok Hotel (I arrive at midnight)
2) How do you suggest I spend day (most sites will be visited on tour)
3) Restaurants near hotel

Thank you!

I suggest you use the airport limousine service: http://www.acclimousine.com

The Tawana hotel is an old hotel and IMO is not located in the best part of town. If you have a choice, being on a group tour, I suggest you seek an alternative hotel. The neighbourhood of the Tawana, within walking distant, is mostly bars and touristy type restaurants.

you might want to reconsider and stay at the le meridian nearby or the royal orchid Sheraton a few blocks away..

hanuman did not say so but I believe that hotel might be a favorite of the 'adult scene'...

you could spend some time on the river the next day.. go to river city shopping center for ideas... next door to the above ROS

If you do stay at Tawana, for restaurants, you might try the Montien Hotel's Rueton Coffee shop's famous Hainanese chicken rice, served from 11AM.

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/zOFvU

If a fan of "Korean BBQ", you might enjoy Rengaya, at Thaniya Plaza. It's a a bit of a Japanese / Korean fusion. It's open during lunch and dinner hours.

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/282Wo

At night, much of the area will be reminiscent of "The Hangover II" Some of it was shot around here. Many of the area hotels are, indeed, "guest" friendly.

Appreciate your comments and very much need advice. OAT now changed itinerary and booked at Tongtara Hotel Feb 7-10) instead of Tawana Hotel. I now must cancel Tawana reservation.

Do you recommend staying at hotel near airport or at Tongtara when I arrive the night before?

Tried link for acclimousine.com and was unsuccessful... no response to email.

Thank you!

No, don't stay at the airport - nothing to do or see there. I had never heard of the Tongtara, but checked and it's near the river and near Asiatique. I would definitely stay there rather than the airport.

The email address I use for AAC is [email protected] The other option is use take a taxi, but do make sure you have the address for the hotel. It is not a well-known hotel, so you may want to make sure the man assigning you to taxis knows where it is and can tell the driver.